Odie returns to the sandwich business...

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Odie's new Deli at the former Coffee Concepts location across from Liquidation World in Soldotna.

Odie's new Deli at the former Coffee Concepts location across from Liquidation World in Soldotna.

Many folks still remember Odie’s, “The home of the big sandwich,” formerly located on the Sterling Highway where Papa Murphy’s Pizza is now in Soldotna. Odie Pack was a stay at home Mom that decided to open a homemade sandwich and gift shop after her nest was empty. Odie’s sandwiches and homemade soup were an immediate success and quickly became one of the most popular eateries on the Peninsula providing many first job opportunities for local youth. After several successful years Odie was diagnosed with throat cancer and decided to close the restaurant rather than sell it, “I needed time to rest and recover and I was concerned that if I wasn’t there that the quality might not be maintained, so we decided it would be best to close,” said Odie.

With a lot love from her family and friends Odie was soon on her way to remission and recovery, “It was pretty scary at first, but everyone was really encouraging and my family and friends helped me keep going with a good attitude,” said Odie. After a year or so Odie felt she was well enough to start a new business and opened Odie’s Bead-It in the Peninsula Center Mall at a time when most businesses had left the mall. Once again Odie’s Bead-It was an immediate success and soon she was adding space at her shop, buying beads from all over the world and on special weekends filling the mall with statewide bead trade fairs and flea markets.

Odie's new Deli at the former Coffee Concepts location across from Liquidation World in Soldotna

As her health continued to improve Odie says she started thinking about returning to the sandwich business and began looking for locations. Then a few weeks ago the opportunity to move into the former Coffee Concepts location on the Spur Highway next to Nancy Mitchell’s Insurance and across from Liquidation World became available and once again with the help of her family and friends Odie decided to open a new Deli and Coffee & Tea shop. “We’re back in the swing of making all our breads and soups and sandwiches, it’s been awhile and there is a lot to remember, but I’m feeling strong again and my family is helping and I’m so happy to be back into baking and making my signature soups and sandwiches. We once again are offering wheat, rye, and sourdough breads, that we make ourselves, and of course Herman is back, our friendly sourdough that lives in a bucket. We have a choice of two fresh soups and salads that we make everyday in addition to a full line of espresso coffees and tea by the cup or bulk buy, and of course I’m back to making the monster cookies and homemade pies and cakes and special goodies that we make from time to time,” said Odie. Odie’s Deli is open weekdays at 7:00am and for other inquiries calls Odie or Melody at 260-3255.